Split Rail Fence - West Virginia Lap Rail - HOOVER FENCE CO. Split rail fences are a low-cost style of wood fence often used to contain livestock and horses, define boundaries, and landscape a yard.

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West Virginia Lap Rail Fence

Description - Often called 'split rail fence', West Virginia Lap Rail is not truly split when made; it is cut at a sawmill. One side of the Spruce or Hemlock rail is often 'half-round' while the other side shows where the rail was put through a saw. Typically the half-round side is faced out and the cut-side in. WV lap rail utilizes Locust posts. These posts are also run through a sawmill; the inside and outside of the post is often cut and the sides may be cut or be a natural half-round. WV lap rail fence is very rustic in appearance. Each rail and post come in a slightly different size and shape. For the customers who prefer a uniform and consistent low-maintenance fence, we strongly suggest considering this product in vinyl. Click here for information. WV lap rail is available in a two rail (approx. 36" high - specs) and a three rail (approx. 48" high - specs) style. Rails are 11' long and overlap through the posts to make 10''-3" to 10'-6" post centers.

Advantages - WV lap rail fence is one of the most cost effective styles for defining boundaries, decorating property, and fencing in livestock and horses. Lap rail fencing is also one of, if not the easiest style of fence to install making it an ideal project for the do-it-yourselfer. Posts are typically set directly in the ground approx. 24-30" deep without any concrete. A tamping bar is used to compact the dirt around the post while backfilling.

Disadvantages - It is typical to have to retamp posts plumb after the ground settles around post so that the fence remains upright. This is especially true if the fence is installed in a wet area or it was wet when the fence was originally installed. Pouring gravel around the posts instead of backfilling with dirt will help prevent posts from leaning under the heavy weight of the rails. Fence requires a preservative for the longest-lasting performance, however most installations are never treated.

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3 rail locust posts and spruce rails located in Champion, Ohio. Installed by Chad Hoover, Jim Beutler and Bobcat, who installed over 5000' here and elsewhere in less than 6 days.

The WV lap rail gate utilizes white cedar uprights to cut down on the weight of the gate. Using locust posts to make a WV lap rail gate would just be too heavy. Round end posts are used to fabricate these gates.

Customer Comment - I just took delivery on my order and I wanted to tell you how pleased I am in the quality of the lumber. I really appreciate Hoover Fence working with me on this relatively small order. I also want to thank the driver (I didn't get his name) who took a lot of time to skillfully back his flatbed into my narrow street so we could unload directly onto my utility trailer at the top of my driveway. I intend to e-mail you a picture of the completed fence.
Thanks again.

Ron V.
Talladega, AL

Customers Photos - These are pictures from a customer in Hiram, Ohio. Nice job, the fence does a great job defining the property line but still blends well with nature. Notice the gate, these gates are built extremely sturdy and the design matches the fence well. They can be built as single or double gates. The white cedar uprights of the gate can be stained to a similar color as the rest of the fence components, although all of the fence will fade to a silvery gray eventually. Once again, the cedar posts are used to cut down on the weight of the gate.